LESSON 6: LEARNING HOW TO SPEAK

Hello, English Learners!!!

Today I'll give you tips and advices on speaking. Speaking is the ability we feel most identified with. We develop our speaking skills in our daily routine and we interact with others as well. Speaking and interacting don't mean the same. On the one hand, speaking is the act of talking to someone, for example an audience,without expecting others' reply. It is more prepared and formal. On the other hand, interacting means that there have to be at least two people involved. There has to be feedback, one asks and the other replies. It is more spontaneous and you have time to think of what you are going to say.

If you want to be a good speaker when giving an oral presentation, you have to bear in mind these statements. 

-- A good speaker has to be organised. Divide your speaking into different points so that the audience can make an idea of the things you are going to deal with. Define the introduction and highlight the conclusion, too. 

-- You have to wear appropriate clothing. It seems stupid, but it is important. The audience will look at you and you have to make a good impression on them. The clothing you wear has to adapt to the situation.

-- Don't tell jokes to be funny. An oral presentation requires formality. It's good if you look interested in the topic, but don't show signs of laugh.

-- Good speakers use visual aids to support their presentation. The rule for visuals is 6*6: 6 points and 6 words maximum for each explanation. A nice visual is the one that contains images, graphs, charts, etc. The font size shouldn't be smaller than 22 points. 

-- Don't put too much information on the visual. The audience won't listen to you because they will have to read the whole text.

-- You have to watch the reaction of the audience and maintain eye contact. You'll receive much more feedback.

-- You have to use body language to express yourself. Non-verbal communication gives you clues about the personality of the speaker.

-- A good speaker has to adapt the language according to the audience. You don't have to use complex words because the audience won't understand what you are saying.

-- You don't have to read from the visual. The visual is only a support and if you read all the time, the audience will believe you don't know anything about your topic.

-- The simpler the visual is, the better. You have to use the same structure in each slide.

-- You don't have to speak in a monotonous way. You have to put emphasis on key words and use intonation.

-- You have to use the right time. 

-- A good speaker thanks the audience for listening and lets them ask questions about the topic if they want to.

-- You can put examples to support your ideas.

Before giving an oral presentation you can follow these tips

-- Believe in yourself. You like the topic and you are interested in it. You have to be positive because you are going to do it well.

-- Visualise yourself doing well. You will feel more relaxed and comfortable.

-- You can take deep and slow breaths as well. 

Now it's your turn to give an oral presentation. Good luck!